- Fred Longworth High School and St Thomas’ CofE Primary School in the Leigh constituency are among one of the first 50 schools set to benefit from the Government’s ten-year rebuilding programme to transform schools across England.
- This first wave of projects marks the start of its School Rebuilding Programme, which is expected to deliver 500 rebuilding projects over the next decade, as the Government delivers on its manifesto commitment ensure every child has access to a great school
- With construction due to begin Autumn, these projects will also help create jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities in and around the country as we build back better.
James Grundy, the Member of Parliament for Leigh, has welcomed news that students in his constituency will benefit from learning in world class educational facilities as Fred Longworth High School and St Thomas’ CofE Primary School, which are among the first wave of schools to take part in the Government’s transformational School Rebuilding Programme.
As part of the commitment to level up opportunity, the Prime Minister announced an ambitious ten-year programme that transform 500 school buildings across England, so every child has access to the best learning environment, no matter where they go to school.
Backed by £1 billion in Government funding, these 50 schools represent the first initial wave of the programme, which will rebuild and repair primary, secondary, specialist as well as sixth form colleges around England, with 70 per cent located in the North and Midlands.
These refurbishments will help create modern learning environment by delivering new classrooms and science labs to sports hall and dining halls, with the majority of these projects expected to be completed within three to five years.
Project planning is already advanced on a number of these schools following site visits which took place last year, and construction will begin from autumn.
This programme will also create vital jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry, with suppliers offering training opportunities as part of their work on the rebuilds. Through its continued commitment to achieve its net zero target, the Government is also ensuring these schools will be built greener – supporting green jobs as it builds Britain back better, fairer, and greener.
Commenting James Grundy, the Member of Parliament for Leigh, said:
“In its commitment to level up opportunity as we build back better, this Conservative Government is determined to give every child in this country the world class education they deserve.
“In providing modern, state of the art facilities, we can ensure every child, no matter where they go to school, can learn in an environment that enables them to reach their full potential”.
Commenting, Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said:
“Today we are launching the first phase of our ambitious new schools programme, with 50 rebuilds and 21 new free schools.
“The rebuilding projects are just the start of our major ten-year programme, transforming hundreds of schools and improving the education of tens of thousands of children. Alongside this, over 15,500 children will now benefit from 21 new free schools across the country as we look to build back better after the pandemic.
“I am determined to get all children back into education as soon as possible, and will make sure we do not let the pandemic stand in the way of giving every young person the opportunity to succeed, progress and fulfil their potential”.
